Car-lighting system.



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CAR LIGHTING svs rzm.

APPLICATION FILED AUG- 19H. RENEWED NOV. 24, I911.

1,251,479. Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

E 5 2: E, W J g. 6) 0 6 9 23 EA WITNESSES I INVENTOR Application filed August 7, 1911, Serial No. 642,583. Renewed November UNITED STATES JOHN L. CREVELING, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO SAFETY CAR HEATING AND PATENT OFFICE.

LIGHTING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CAR-LIGHTING SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. CREVELING, a resident of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Lighting Systems, as set forth in the annexed specification and drawing forming a part thereof.

My invention pertains to that class of electric regulation wherein it is desired to regulate a dynamo or generator and has for its particular object to provide means whereby a generator may be automatically governedin a predetermined manner.

As my'invention is particularly applicable to systems of electric distribution wherein a dynamo is used to charge'a storage battery and operate lamps or other translating devices,.it will be described with reference to slich a system.

This application is,a continuation in part of my application for patent for improvement in electric lighting system, filed December 17, 1908, Serial Number 467,962, the latter application being a division. of my application for patent for improvement in electric lighting system filed May 28, 1908, Serial Number 435,376, patented May 4, 1909, Patent Number 920,827; and the invention of the present application accordingly relates in particular to the lighting of railway cars from a generator driven at variable speed, as set forth in the said application 467,962 and in the said Patent 920,827. I

Figure I of the drawing is a diagrammatic representation of one t pe of such system embodying the essentia s of my invention.

1 1%. II 1s another form of system embodyt e essentials of my invention.

n the drawing, referring particularly to Fig. I, 1 represents a dynamo or generator provided, with the usual field coil 2 having in series therewith the variable regulating resistance 3, in this instance indicated as of the carbon pile variety. 4 is a bell crank lever having one of its arms normall drawn in an upward direction as by a justable spring -5 in such manner as to tend to 06mpress the carbon pile 3 and reduce the resistanca thereof. 6 is a core of magnetic material carried at one extremity of the bell crank lever 4, and it is obvious that the resistance of the carbon pile 3 may be Specification of Letters Patent.

24, 1917. Serial No. 203,696.

varied by motion imparted to the core 6. 7 represents a dash-pot adapted to resist too sudden movement of the core 6 8 represents a bell crank lever having one of its arms provided with an adjustable screw indicated at 9, and having its other arm normally drawn in an upward direction'as by adjustable spring 10. The limit of motion that can be given the lever 8 by the spring 10 may be adjusted as by screw 11. 12 is a core of magnetic material carried at one end of the lever 8, and it will be obvious that, if screw 9 be properly adjusted, motion imparted to the core 12 may cause the screw 9 to engage the arm of the bell crank lever 4 and thus affect the operation of the resistance 3. 13 is a dash-pot for preventing two sudden motion of the core 12.. 14 represents the positive lead of the generator which is connectedto the positive side of the storage battery 15 and one side of the switch 16 from which it is continued to'the positive sides of the lamps or other trans- Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

lating devices indicated at 17. The negaside of which is connected with the negative side of the generator as by lead 21. The coil 19 is so arranged with respect to the core 6 that energization of the said coil tends to draw the core'6 downwardly and increase the resistance of the carbon pile 3. The switch 20 is preferably of the automatic type adapted to close the circuit between the generator and the storage battery when the voltage of'the generator becomes equal tothat of the battery and, as many switches for this purpose are well'known in theart,'I have merely indicated diagram matically a conventional form thereof, which is' indicated as operated by a voltage coil 22 across the generator. .The core 12 is surrounded by a winding 23 in shunt across the generator and battery circuit and when one 'zedtends to draw the core 12 downwai fiy against'the action of spring 10 and cause the screw '9 to strike the bell crank lever 4 and affect the operation of the resistance 3. f In'"Fig. II like numerals havebeen used .;to indicate like parts and the only difference operated coil 24 is placed around the core- 6 and the current operated coil 25 is placed around the core 12, while in Fig. I the current coil 19 surrounds the core 6 and the voltage coil 23 surrounds the core 12.

The operation of my invention is substantially as follows, referring particularly to Fig. I

If the generator be operating at such voltage as to supply current to the battery and translating devices, the switch 20 will be closed and if the switch 16 be closed current will flow from the generator through the positive lead 14, battery 15 and translating devices 17 to the wire 18 and return to the generator throu h coil 19, switch 20 and lead 21. I so ad ust the spring 5 that when the desired current output of the generator is flowing through the coil 19 any increase in this current will draw the core 6 downwardly against the action of spring 5 and increase the resistance 3 in such manner as to prevent this current being exceeded.-

Thus the current output of the generator will be held from exceeding a predetermined limit throughout increases in speed of its armature in a, well known manner. If the generator now slowed down the reverse operation may be readily followed out from the above. If, now, the batteries be charged until their voltage rises to that voltage above which it is desired they shall not be charged, I so adjust the spring 10 that any increase above. this voltage Will cause the core 12 to be drawn downwardly, and I so adjust the screw 9 that this motion of the core 12' will cause the screw to strike the arm of the lever 4 and thus operate the carbon pile 3 to prenent this'voltage being exceeded. By this means I obtain current regulation throughout a substantial portion of the charge of the battery, and when the (generator voltage reaches a predetermined value the voltage coil is brought into regulating action to control the regulation.

The operation of the system shown in Fig. II may readily be followed out from the foregolng, it only being necessary to note that the spring 5 is properly adjusted to prevent the generator voltage from increasing above the predetermined limit desired to carry across the generator and battery circuit and that the spring 10 and screw 9 are so adjusted that when the desired maximum current is being delivered to the battery this current will not be exceeded owing to the coil 25 drawing the core 12 downwardly and thus causing the screw 9 to affect -the arm of the lever 4 and thus aflect the resistance 3 to prevent this desired maximum charging current from being exceeded. It will be unnecessary to describe the action of this embodiment of my invention in detail, as it obviously comprises merely a reversal of the current and voltage coils shown in Fig. I.

From the foregoing it willbe -plain that I have produced a system wherein the dynamo or generator is governed by a resistance element, in this instance shown as a carbon pile, aifected in response to current fluctuations and to voltage fluctuations in such manner that a' given current cannot be exceeded throughout variations in speed of the generator and that a given voltage cannot be exceeded, as for example, upon rises in voltage caused by charging the battery.

I do not wish in. any way to limit myself to the exact details of construction nor to the exact gnode of operation outlined in the foregoing which are given merely to illustrate systems embodying the essentials of my invention, for it will be obvious that wide departure in the way of details of operation and construction may be had without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, which is as set forth in the following claims Y 1. In an electric lighting system, the combination 'with a generator, a main circuit,

and a storage battery; of means for regulating the generator comprising a regulating element in series with the field windin of the generator, a pair of cooperating rigid levers for varying the action of the regulating element, one of which is arranged to cooperate with said regulating element and the other to act. directly upon the first lever; and means for operating said levers dependent upon conditions in the circuit.

2. The combination with a generator; a main circuit; and a storage battery; of a regulator foimthe generator comprising a regulating element variable in its action ac cording to pressure imposed thereon; and means for operating the said regulating element comprising a pair of co-acting rigid levers, one of which is arranged to exert pressure upon said regulating element and the other to act directly upon the first lever;

its

and means for operating said levers includcording to pressure .imposedthereon; and. means for operating the said regulating.

element comprising a pair of co acting rigid levers, one of Whichis arranged to exert 7 pressure upon said regulating element and he other t7) act directly upon the first lever to vary the pressure upon said element, said levers being separatel movable, and current and voltage coils a apted respectively to control sa1d levers.

5. The combination of a main generator,

a Work circuit and storage battery supplied thereby, pressure-controlled rheostatic apparatus for regulating the voltage of the generator,-- and two *electro-magnets acting to control said apparatus to regulate its action, one of said elecltro-magnets being arranged to regulate responsive to current changes by varying the pressure upon said rheostatic apparatus in accordance with variations in its magnetic strength and the other electro-magnet being arranged to regulate responsive tovoltage changes by varying the pressure upon said rheostatic apparatus in accordance with variations in its magnetic strength and arranged to remain substantially inoperative until the battery has become charged to a substantial extent.

6. In an electrical system of distribution,-

.a main generator, a stora e battery arranged to be charged thereby, r eostatic apparatus for regulating the voltage of the generator, a coil regulating responsive to current changesaof the system for controlling. said apparatus while the bat ry is charging, and a coil regulating res onsive to voltage changes of the system arranged to be brought into operation for controlling said apparatus 1 when the battery has become substantially .45

charged, said second mentioned coil having substantially no effect on said apparatus when said first mentioned coil is controllin the regulation.

"7. The combination of a main generator, a work circuit and storage battery supplied rheostatic apparatus for regu ating the voltage of the generator, and two electro-magnets acting to control said apparatus to regulate its actioIK one of said electromagnets being arranged to regulate responsive to current changes of the-system and the other electro magnet being arranged .to regulate responsive to voltage changes of the battery, one of said electro-magnets being arranged to remainsubstantially inoperative during a substantial part of the charging of the battery. 8. In an electrical system of distribution,

a main generator, astorage battery-arranged. to be charged thereby, rheostatic apparatus a work circuit and storage battery supplied thereby, a carbon pile for regulating the voltage of the generator, and two electromagnets acting-through levers adapted to control said pile to regulate its action, said levers being capable of independent movement, one of said electro-magnets being arranged to regulate responsive to current changes of the system and the other electromagnet being arranged to regulate respon sive to voltage changes of the battery and arranged to remain substantially inoperative until the battery has become charged to a substantial extent.

10. In an electrical system of distribution,

a main generator, a storage battery arranged to be charged thereby, a carbon pile for regulating the voltage of the generator, two soils having cores and regulating responslve to current changes and voltage changes respec-v tively forcontrollin said pile, the core of one coil acting on t e pile through a mechanical device, and the core of the other coil acting on the pile through a lost-motion connection with said device whereby said other coil may go out of action on said pile but remain energized. l

11. 'In an electrical system of distribution, a main generator driven at a variable speed, a stora battery and work circuit arranged to be s gplied thereby, carbon pile rheostatic apparatus to maintain a substantially conerator, an electro-magnet regulating responsive to current changes for controlling said apparatus to maintain a substantially constant current while the battery is charging, and an electro-magnet regulating responsive to voltage changes of the battery, arran ed to be brought into operation for controlhng said apparatus to limit the voltage of the generator when the battery has become substantiallycharged.

12. In an electrical'system of distribution, a main' generator driven at a variable'speed, a storage battery and work circuit arranged to be supplied thereby, carbon pile gheostatic, apparatus for regulating the field'o'f the generator, an electro-magnet, regulatin Iresponsive to current changes for contro ing said apparatus to maintain a substantially constant current while the battery is charging, amfan"electro-magnetregulating responsive to voltage changes of the battery, arranged v to be brought into operation for controlling said apparatus to limit the voltage of the generator when the battery has become substantially charged, said second mentioned electro-magnet having substantially no eifect on the apparatus when said first mentioned electro-magnet is controlling the regulation.

13. In an electrical system of distribution, a main generator having a shunt field winding and driven at a variable speed, a storage battery and work circuit arranged to be supplied thereby, a carbon pile in series with the shunt field of the generator for regulating the, generator, an electro-magnet regulating responsive to current changes in the system for controlling said pile to maintain a substantially constant current while the battery is charging, and an electro-magnet regulating-responsive to voltage changes of the battery, arranged to be brought into operation for controlling said apparatus to limit the voltage of the generator when the battery has become charged to a substantial extent, said second mentioned electro-magnet having substantially no effect on the apparatus when said battery is not charged to such extent.

14. In an electrical system of distribution, a main generator, a storage battery arranged to be charged thereby, a substantially horizontal carbon pile for regulating the voltage of the generator, a coil responsive to current changes of the system, a coil responsive to voltage changes of the generator, sub-- stantially vertical cores therefor, and bellcrank levers connected with the cores, one of said levers adapted to act on the pile alone during part of the charging of the battery and the other lever acting through the first lever during another part of the charging of the battery.

15. In an electrical system of distribution, a main generator, a storage battery a1 anged to be charged thereby, a carbon pile for regulating the voltage of the generator, a coil responsive to current changes of the system' for controlling-sald carbon pile, a 0011 con-- nected to receive a current at all times proportionate to the voltage of the generator and having its field varied with variations in said voltage without efiect upon the carbonpile and mechanical means whereby at a certain value of magnetic strength of the coil the coil is brought into operative relation to thecarbon pile and its variations and magnetic strength caused to decrease the pressure on the carbon pile with increase of magnetic strength of the coil and vice versa.

16. In an electrical system of distribution, a main generator, a storage battery arranged to be charged thereby, a carbon pile for regulating the voltage of the generator, a 0011 responsive to current changes of the system and acting alone to control said carbon pile while the battery is below a predetermined state ofcharge, a coil connected toreceive a current at all times proportionate to t"c voltage of'the generator and having its field. varied with variations in said voltage with out effect upon the carbon pile and mechanical means whereby at a certain value of magnetic strength of the coil the coil is brought into operative relation to the carbon pile and its variations and magnetic strength caused to decrease the pressure on the carbon pile with increase of magnetic strength of the coil and vice versa.

17. In an electrical system of distribution, a main generator driven at a variable speed, a storage battery and work circuit arranged to be supplied thereby, carbon pile rheostatic apparatus for regulating the field of the generator, an electro-magnet regulating responsive to current changes for controlling said apparatus to limit the current while the battery is charging, and an electro-magoperation for controlling said apparatus to limit the voltage of the generator, said sec.-

ond mentioned electromagnet having no effect on the apparatus when the first mentioned electromagnet is controlling the regulation.

18. In a system of the class described, the combination of a variable speed generator, a storage battery and work circuit fed. thereby, and means regulating the voltage of the generator including a carbon pile varying the generator streng th, two levers for controlling said pile, two solenoids having cores, thecore of one solenoid actuating one lever and the core of the other solenoid actuating the other lever, one solenoid having a voltage) winding whereby it acts to limit the voltage of the generator and the other solenoid having a current responsive winding connected between the generator and battery whereby it acts as a current limiting winding, said current solenoid acting to control the pile mechanically independently of the voltage solenoid before the voltage of the generator has reached a predetermined value. p

19. In an electrical system of distribution, amain generator driven at a variable speed, a storage battery and work circuit arranged to be supplied thereby, carbon pile rheostatic apparatus for regulating the field of the generator, an electro-magnet regulating responsive to current changes. for controlling said apparatus to limit the charging current while the battery is charging, and an electromagnet 'retgulatin responsive to voltage changes 0 the attery, arranged to be brought into operation for controlling said apparatus to limit the voltage of the generatorfone of said electromagnets having no cfi'ect on the apparatus when the other electromagnet is controlling the regulation.

20. In a system of the class described, the combination of a variable speed generator, a storage battery and work circuit fed thereby, and' means regulating the voltage of the generator including a carbon pile varyingthe generator field strength, means comprising two levers for varyin the pressure on said pile, two solenoids aving cores, the core of one solenoid actuating one lever to relieve the pressure on the .pile upon being attracted by its solenoid and the core of the other solenoid actuating the other lever to relieve the pressure on the pile upon bein;

attracted by its solenoid, one solenoid having a voltage windin whereby it acts to limit the voltage-of t e generator and the other solenoid having a current responsive winding connected between the generator and battery whereby ing to control the pile mechanically inclependently of the voltage solenoid before the voltage of the generator has reached a predetermined value.

JOHN L. CREVELING.

Witnesses ANNA MARIE WALL, M. HERsKovrrz.

it acts as a current: limlting w1nd1ng, said current s0leno1d act-' 

